St Philip with St Stephen and Sacred Trinity, Salford

Bishop Nigel was able to conduct a smaller pilgrimage within the larger one when he arrived at Sacred Trinity in Salford on Tuesday 14th October 2008.

Walking between the two churches of Sacred Trinity and St. Philip with St. Stephen provided the perfect opportunity to absorb the sights and sounds of a parish at the very heart of a city.

Following prayers in Sacred Trinity, where the bishop was shown some of the church's 17^th century treasures, Revd. Andy Salmon took Bishop Nigel to meet two residents who symbolise Salford's diversity.

First was Simon, the church organist who lives in one of Salford's recently built city centre apartments. Simon's flat has also been developed to include a music studio - showing the creative side of the parish.

From there, the pilgrimage moved to Mabel McKenna's home: a flat in one of Salford's landmark tower block, a place Mabel has called home or forty years.

After remarking at the similarities of living in the city, and its difference, the pilgrimage moved on to Islington Mill; England's first fireproof mill. Once used as a cotton mill, it is now part of Greater Manchester's creative scene, with resident artists introduced to Bishop Nigel.

The pilgrimage wound its way back to St. Philip's where Bishop Nigel was given a tour of  the church by churchwarden Les Kott, and where afterward the community gathered for the final acts of worship and fellowship. The Bishop concluded by receiving the baton from Kayleigh Rose to symbolise the youth of a parish moving forward.

Abiding memories of Bishop Nigel's

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

time in the parish were heartfelt descriptions of being 'moved' and 'inspired' by the acts of prayer and anointing.

These feelings grew to include new congregation members who have become regular attendees to services after their welcome to the pilgrimage: a further encouragement to both diocese and parish as they continue to Run the Race.

Daniel Richards